ROUND THE COUNCILS ST HELENS:
CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED TO RECRUIT DRIVERS
A campaign has been launched to recruit taxi drivers after the pandemic left a shortage across St Helens. With restric- tions having eased and more people going out, the shortage is causing long waits for people waiting for taxis and harm- ing businesses, particularly the hospitality trade. The St Helens Star reports that in a bid to attract new recruits, St Helens Borough Council has teamed up with local partners to offer a free support package for residents wanting to become a private hire or taxi driver. The support package covers a level 2 qualification in taxi driver training and a number of financial support incentives to help make the journey as smooth as possible. The dedicated support will cover information and advice around becoming self-employed. There are also significant financial contributions, made by the council, that make this a free offer, including all costs associated with DBS checks, medical and licence charges – as well as two weeks’ car rental, insurance, two-weeks’ worth of radio hire and the operators’ livery. A council spokesperson said the move comes in response to residents and private hire operators telling the council that more drivers are needed to address waiting times customers are currently facing due to driver shortages. Businesses in the hospitality and leisure sectors have also told the council that the taxi shortages are having a “detri- mental impact on the town centre economy and their ability to recruit and retain employees”. In a statement, St Helens Council’s cabinet member for edu- cation, skills and business, said: “This project brings together an expert team and a funded package to support you in tak- ing the first steps into a new career.” Cllr Jeanie Bell, cabinet member for safer, stronger, commu- nities, added: “Taxi drivers have been among the many unsung heroes during the pandemic, and we thank them for their valuable contribution, as many people in our communi- ties rely on them every day. “Sometimes the process of becoming a driver in a regulated field can be daunting – that’s why the council’s Ways to Work team and licensing will be directly linking up to deliver a fully supported package that will help you to understand and get the best out of the role. Our licensed operators are supporting the scheme and are waiting to welcome you to their business, and you can work flexibly too.” As part of the ‘Ways to Work’ and the new ‘St Helens Path- way into Employment’ programmes, the council is working with JobCentre Plus and Genesis Training, to deliver a free and comprehensive pre-self-employment support package leading to a fully accredited taxi driver qualification – with a host of local firms on board ready to take drivers on. To be eligible, you must be a St Helens borough resident aged 18 or older with a UK driving licence for at least one-year.
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NORTH DEVON: CONSULTATION ON LICENSING POLICY
North Devon Council is consulting on changes to its Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy, which has been updated to reflect national standards released by the Department for Transport on July 21 2020. Opinions on the changes to the policy are invited from the taxi trade and the general public. The public consultation will take place from Wednesday 16 March until Wednesday 11 May. The aim of the proposals is to update the policy in a number of key areas including vehicle standards, CCTV system spec- ifications, and the introduction of record keeping requirements for vehicle proprietors. Leader of North Devon Council, Councillor David Worden, said: “I would like to encourage anyone who drives or regu- larly uses taxis or private hire vehicles to take part in this consultation for their own benefit. “Our committee members need your input in order to make an informed decision regarding these new proposals”. The proposals and the recommendations can be found on the council’s website. If you wish to make a comment, you may do so by: completing the online survey or submitting a comment or emailing a completed survey to:
consultation@northdevon.gov.uk All responses must be received by May 11. Once the consultation closes, Licensing Officers will review all the feedback and make any relevant adjustments to the draft Policy.
CALDERDALE: LANGUAGE QUALIFICATIONS TO BE AMENDED
Changes to Calderdale Council’s policy on taxi and private hire licensing will go out to consultation. Calderdale licens- ing councillors also recommended to colleagues that they amend the policy on English language qualifications to be widened to accept a higher level taught qualification as an alternative to that designated in the policy. Councillors agreed to recommend the change in policy be made by the full Calderdale Council, which met on March 23. The Halifax Courier reports that a year ago councillors had requested the licensing policy be reviewed following guid- ance issued by the DfT. Proposed changes to the policy range from basic DBS checks to the age and condition of vehicles, including vehicle compliance checks. The review was now complete and councillors agreed to put the proposed changes out to consultation for a three-month period. They also agreed to amend policies to ensure new statutory conditionality checks introduced by the Govern- ment’s Finance Act 2021 will take place.
APRIL 2022
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